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Feels Like Home

Randy Newman

Feels Like Home is a lovely song written by Randy Newman. Who sang it best?

This morning, I was writing a review of Feels Like Home, an album Linda Ronstadt released in 1995. I was left with a somewhat mediocre impression of Ronstadt’s version of the title song, which I had originally heard sung by Bonnie Raitt on the soundtrack of Randy Newman’s Faust. Linda Ronstadt had also performed on that album, which featured an all-star line up of singers, including: James Taylor, Don Henley, Elton John, and Randy Newman. I used to listen to Newman’s Faust all the time when it first came out and really enjoyed everyone’s performances. Bonnie Raitt played sort of a loose woman named Martha, while Ronstadt’s character, Margaret, was sweet and virtuous. It seemed to fit. And yet, Bonnie Raitt’s loose character, Martha, sang the very sweet number “Feels Like Home”, a song that is becoming sort of a wedding standard.

In my opinion, “Feels Like Home” is a really great song, even though I read somewhere that Randy Newman didn’t think it was particularly special or meaningful. The lyrics are about a relationship that makes the singer feel very comfortable and “at home”. It’s kind of the way I feel about my husband, Bill, who manages to make me feel beautiful and loved no matter how batshit crazy I get at certain times of the month. In fact, I even recorded my own version of this song for Bill on SingSnap.com. He doesn’t mind. He’s had to listen to me sing ever since we got married over ten years ago. Besides, he knows when I sing this song for him, I sing it with heartfelt devotion and true LOVE…

But what about the other singers? I can think of six different interpretations of this one song. They’re all different and, I’m sure, each version speaks to different people in a different way. So today, I want to compare and contrast the many stylings of Randy Newman’s “Feels Like Home”.

Version #1- Randy Newman

Randy Newman wrote this song and he included it on his 2008 album Harps and Angels. Bill gave me that album as a Christmas gift one year, knowing that I really enjoy Randy Newman’s music. No, he’s not the greatest singer in the world, but he’s witty and charming and his piano playing has a certain recognizable character. Here’s his version of his song, “Feels Like Home”.

Listening to this, I hear that Randy Newman’s quirky vocals are not particularly tuneful. And yet, there’s something kind of moving about the way he sings this song. He sells it with his quirkiness. I also like the key he sings this in and the subtle orchestral backing to his piano. I think songs often sound better when they’re sung by the person who created them. Randy Newman knows what he was thinking of when he wrote this. Still, he wasn’t the first one to make “Feels Like Home” popular.

Version #2- Bonnie Raitt

Bonnie Raitt sang this for Faust and here she is, singing it on Rosie O’Donnell’s talk show circa 1997.

I think Bonnie Raitt’s vocals are very warm and heartfelt when she sings “Feels Like Home”. I like the way she keeps it sweet and simple. And of course, this is the very first version I was exposed to, so it has a special place in my heart. On the other hand, if you are familiar with Newman’s Faust, you realize that this song is not as sweet as it seems, especially given the character of Martha, who was a bit of a ‘ho. Martha was being deceptive when she sang this love song for Faust; it was intended to trick him. Seems kind of funny, now that it’s a wedding standard.

Version #3- Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt covered this song on her 1995 album Feels Like Home.

Linda Ronstadt sings this in the same key Bonnie Raitt did and has help from Emmylou Harris on the chorus. I think she did a nice job on this song, though it seems a bit bloodless and sterile to me. Obviously, it’s about perfect in terms of Linda’s singing, but I don’t get the same sense that Linda was as into it as Bonnie was. But that’s just me.

Version #4- Chantal Kreviazuk

Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk sang a version of “Feels Like Home” that appeared in the films The Notebook, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, and The Terminal, as well as the television show, Dawson’s Creek.

I must confess I first heard this version of Randy Newman’s song when I saw the film The Terminal. While I love the key she sings this in, I’m not that wild about Chantal Kreviazuk’s take on “Feels Like Home”. She has a very thick accent that is distracting to me. Still, this arrangement turns the song into an emotional love song and I can see why so many people are using it at weddings.

Version #5- Edwina Hayes

Edwina Hayes’ version of “Feels Like Home” was used in the soundtrack for the 2009 film, My Sister’s Keeper.

English singer-songwriter Edwina Hayes sings a gorgeous version of “Feels Like Home”. I have goosebumps when I hear her sing this song, even though I didn’t actually see the film it was featured on. I like the simple guitar arrangement. This makes me want to seek out more music by Edwina Hayes. As this ends, I have a lump in my throat, which means it got to my heart.

Version #6 Raul Malo and Martina McBride

This duet version appeared on Raul Malo’s 2006 album, You’re Only Lonely.

I heard this version for the first time this morning. I think Raul Malo and Martina McBride both have beautiful voices, but I don’t really feel like they have a lot of chemistry on this song. When they sing it, I don’t believe it. Still, it’s technically very good. I’m not that familiar with Raul Malo, who is the frontman for The Mavericks and a member of Los Super Seven. I might have to seek out more of his music, too.

The verdict

I think my favorite version of “Feels Like Home” is probably still Bonnie Raitt’s, but that might be because her version was the first one I ever heard. I also really love Bonnie Raitt’s voice, which sounds so real and warm to me… like it comes from someone who has really lived. I’m very impressed with Edwina Hayes’ version of “Feels Like Home”, though the sheer perfection of her vocals is almost more than I can stand. Randy Newman’s version, while technically imperfect, touches me because the words and music are his and he knows just how he wants to sell it. I also love the way he plays piano.

Ordinarily, I love a lot of Linda Ronstadt’s music, though I’m left a little cold by her version of “Feels Like Home”, even though she had some help from Emmylou Harris. And while Chantal Kreviazuk has a lovely voice and I love the key she sings “Feels Like Home” in, I am distracted by her thick accent and breathy emotion. On the other hand, I think her reading is probably what really put this song on the map. Raul Malo and Martina McBride turn “Feels Like Home” into an appealing duet, though to me, the chemistry between them is a bit lacking.

My version

You get extra credit if you listen to my version of “Feels Like Home”. And there’s really no need to compare it to those sung by professionals!

April 25, 2013
Songs that signal closing time…

Time to go home?

Songs that signal closing time are meant to get people to get up– and get OUT– into the world…

When I was younger, I had a series of jobs that required me to work evenings. One job I had was working at a men’s clothing outlet, where I usually worked until closing time. Invariably, people would show up a few minutes before closing time to do their shopping. As I tried to get things straightened up for the end of the day, they would leisurely shop for pleated pants and matching sweaters, oblivious to my desire to call it a night.

Years later, I took a job waiting tables, where we’d have people show up a few minutes before closing time for late night noshing or perhaps a scrumptious dessert. Unlike a lot of my peers, I was less concerned about making an extra tip or two than I was about getting home. I seem to have been born without the business gene. Actually, those late night diners usually weren’t so bad. Many of them realized they were showing up late and we were about to close. But every once in awhile, there would be a lovestruck couple who would sit in the Garden Room of our restaurant and gaze passionately at each other while S-L-O-W-L-Y sipping their wine. They were oblivious to all the people they were holding up with their extended date. We’d stand around, side work all done, waiting for these people to pay their check. One couple was particularly clueless and our chef actually turned the lights down on them to give them a strong hint that it was time to GTFO.

Anyway, the other day I was sitting at my desk, listening to the 11,000 plus songs on my iPod, when a song from the late 1990s popped up. It was a song by Semisonic called “Closing Time”. I remembered it was played on the very last episode of the original incarnation of Melrose Place, a trashy 90s era primetime soap that I was hooked on back in the day.

The lyrics took me back to those many evening nights I waited for people to finish up and hit the road. This song brings more to mind barflies than restaurant patrons, but the sentiment is the same.

Lyle Lovett also has a song called “Closing Time”, though its mood isn’t nearly as much fun as Semisonic’s. Lyle Lovett’s “Closing Time” is a gentle ballad, with acoustic guitar and piano and Lovett’s sweet tenor. His song is more about a musician saying goodnight to an appreciative crowd and his roadies.

Speaking of appreciative songs for roadies, how about Jackson Browne’s “The Load Out”?

This is a great song to end a night to… whether you’re at one of Jackson Browne’s shows or trying to close up a restaurant.

While I’ve never heard Supertramp’s “Goodbye Stranger” used as a closing song, it occurs to me that it might make a good one, though I’ve always suspected this song was really about Supertramp’s Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson becoming increasingly annoyed with each other to the point of the band’s breakup.

Back in the early 90s, when I’d frequent karaoke night at a bar near my college, the karaoke jockey would signal the end of the evening by playing the theme song for Rawhide. I always thought that was pretty clever, since it got the point across without resorting to anything offensive. On the other hand, I don’t have any issues with using profanity if it’s effective. Another karaoke jockey I knew introduced me to Red Peters’ brand of comedy with this song…

The first time I heard this song, I about peed in my pants laughing. I can’t tell you how many times I had these very same thoughts running through my mind as I took care of the last stragglers sitting in my station. There’s a good reason why I don’t wait tables anymore. But I can still laugh at the memories and anyone who has spent an evening dealing with drunks or overly demanding people can relate.

If you want to be elegant about calling it a night, you could always play “Time To Say Goodbye” by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Boccelli, otherwise known as “Con te partirò”.

Personally, I’m partial to the way Red Peters does it, even at his live shows. As a side note, I once played this at a party I threw because I wanted a couple of guests to hear it. They took it as a hint that I wanted them to leave. Luckily, they later forgave me. Be very careful how you use “The Closing Song”!

And with that, I bid you adieu until my next post…

April 23, 2013
American Idol Season 12: Cutting Down To 4

Photo of Paula via her Twitter page

Before I get to anything, I have to get to the biggest news first. Paula Abdul was back on American Idol y’all!

Last night, Candice performed Paula’s Straight Up. Ryno asked Randy if he’d talked to Paula to get her thoughts and Randy said he couldn’t get a hold of her. And then, Paula walked up behind Ryno and Candice. Paula was her usual nervously spoken self, but it didn’t matter. Paula was back!

Ryno even let her sit with the judges, which gave us a Nicki Minaj g-string sighting when she bowed to Paula.

Who rocked the stage?

I love that Thursdays have become alumni night. First, Clay Aiken came back to sing Bridge Over Troubled Water.

And before Fantasia came on to sing Lose To Win, we got to catch up with Latoya London who is trying to get her singing career going.

Of course, Fantasia rocked it. To me, she’s still the single best performer in the history of American Idol.

I’m not quite sure why Fantasia’s performance isn’t on the American Idol YouTube channel, but here’s the video to the song she performed.

Who were in the bottom two?

Ryno had to do this quickly as they were low on time.

He sent Candice, Angie, and Amber to freedom which left Janelle and Kree (Summer) in the bottom two.

Interestingly, I mentioned that I thought Kree was on cruise control Wednesday night.

I also hedged on my prediction here last week that Janelle might be in trouble by saying that I thought Amber would leave because the fans simply don’t dig her style. Well, they did this week.

If they didn’t, Nicki would’ve told them, “Simmer down, sir.”

Who went home?

It was time for Janelle. It wasn’t time for Kree (Summer). The elephant in the room was if the judges would use the save on Janelle so that we could have final five diva showdown part two. I don’t believe they can use it past this week. But it wasn’t meant to be. They think this should be the final four.

Janelle goes home sweet home. She was just a notch below the other four women.

Next week’s themes are one-hit wonders (which is a fan pick) and contestant’s choice. I don’t think they’ll be able to top this week, but it still should be excellent.

April 19, 2013